Earlier this month, the media spent an abundance of time focusing on the first anniversary of the January 6th 2021 insurrection instigated by President Donald Trump and his cohort of loyalists and know-nothings. They did not succeed then in stopping democracy from functioning, but remain steadfast in their efforts. Meanwhile, the response of Democratic Party leadership is to investigate, contemplate, and analyze what happened. They remain relatively static in their actions.

In November, Congressional elections take place. Instead of fighting tooth-and-nail to keep control of both Houses of Congress, Democrats are already bemoaning their expected loss of the House and difficulties in keeping control of the Senate. In turn, the Republicans are manipulating the political process—at local, state and federal levels—to maintain and advance their authority.

Just a short time ago, some Democrats (including the much respected Stacey Abrams), publicly boycotted the President’s speech detailing his administration’s attempts to secure passage of new voting rights protections in Congress. When asked why they were absent, non-attendees were either silent or stated that the President was offering too little, too late.

Democratic Party activists are correct. Neither Republican obstructionists nor Democratic opportunists are easily, if ever, going to support Biden’s proposals on voting protections. It is time to “fight like hell” on this issue. Pretend you’re battling Vladimir Putin. It is time to declare a “Battle Cry for Freedom.”

How? Meetings with friend and foe alike can only obtain so much. Strategic use of the media is a necessary tool to make sure the American people remain educated about the issues and the stakes involved. But, a more forceful approach is needed.

Mr. President, please re-read (I’m sure you’ve read these books before), Robert Caro’s magisterial series on Lyndon Johnson (LBJ). No President (well, maybe FDR), knew better how to accomplish his goals than LBJ. The Great Society, Voting Rights, Medicare, etc., were rammed thru an obstructionist Congress by Johnson and his allies. Now it’s your turn. Sanctions and threats, general and personal, need to be drawn from the bargaining toolbox in order to secure victory. Republicans as well as recalcitrant Democrats need to be objects of your opprobrium. Ten months before the congressional elections are the perfect time to demonstrate to friend and foe alike the power of the Presidency—especially the power.

Russia is a nuclear enemy. The Republicans, Joe Manchin, et al, are not. The future of the country is at stake. There are few better able to protect our democracy than you. Remember, it was before the Nazi regime took power (democratically, I might add), in 1933, that they could have been stopped by relatively peaceful means. Historical analogies are appropriate. I am happy to be proven wrong.